old fort sumner museum

Fort Sumner originally was a fort charged with the containment of Navajo Indians in the 1860s. It was here these Navajos were forced to walk some 300 miles from their homes near Canyon de Chelly in northeastern Arizona. It was also here "Billy the Kid" was shot by Sheriff Pat Garrett. Billy is buried here besides two of his buddies. Most of the Kid's story is best told south of here in Lincoln. If you're interested in him, you'll need to visit that site also. Any normal length lens will allow you to photograph Billy's gravesite. The "Billy the Kid" museum on Fort Sumner's main road showcases Billy's rifle but little more of Billy's stuff. It, however, contains an amazing assortment of museum pieces pertaining to the history of the area. The State museum is normally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays so plan accordingly.

We did not go into the museum the cemetery is free and has the grave of Billy the Kid and others. The kids enjoyed it and it was worth the 7 miles out of the way to see it. A little bit of history!

There's not a lot to see here, but this is an interesting stop nonetheless. A visit here should be combined with a trip to the old courthouse, now a museum, in Lincoln. That courthouse is where Billy the Kid was imprisoned awaiting execution by hanging. He escaped two weeks before his date with the hangman, gunning down the two deputies who were guarding him. The sheriff, Pat Garrett, eventually caught up with Billy in this town and shot him dead. Billy's two buddies were killed months earlier and are buried here near him.

Not that much to see. The grave is free the museum was fair. I wouldn't make a special trip to see it but if you're nearby, make the stop.

The museum was worth the few dollars. Lots of antique items. Not much on billy but just enough. Cemetary is neat and free

Saw Billy the Kids grave and his pals too!!! Totally felt surreal! Especially like the old wild west! Great for pictures!

As with the Billy the Kid Museum in town (5 miles away), this stop is a must see for those on the trail of Billy the Kid or just interested in memorabilia of the Old West. If traveling either east of west in New Mexico on I-40 (the new version of Route 66), take Exit 277 and travel south on US-84 for 41 miles to the "T" intersection of US-84 and US-60. Turn left and go east 3.1 miles and turn right (south) at the well-marked intersection of Sumner Ave and Billy the Kid Avenue. The Old Fort Sumner Museum is 3 1/2 miles down the road. When you arrive, you don't have to go through the museum (or pay) to see the Kid's grave. It is an outdoor display in a graveyard just to the left of the entrance to the museum. But for only $3/person there is not much sense in missing the museum. As with the Billy the Kid Museum in town, it is surprisingly well-maintained and filled with artifacts similar to the "other" museum, there just isn't as much of it. But the exhibits are well presented and the place is clean and neat. The most interesting item to me was the original letter from Louis L'Amour, an old west historian and prolific author, firmly stating that he had second-hand knowledge of Billy's death and knew he did not survive the shooting at the Maxwell place. As with the other museum, a nice gift shop is available for those who must have a remembrance of the visit.

Walk right past the museum entrance and go to the cemetery. On the way back to your car, there are some interesting paintings on the front and side of the museum and a historical sign. All make for interesting pictures. Now for the "Candid Camera Antics" of the owner(?) - employees.Be sure to go to the bathroom before you visit this museum. After asking the location of the bathroom I was told, "This is a for profit museum, you buy something before you go to the bathroom". I asked what happens if I just "GO" right here and got a mumbled answer. I said "I was planning on buying something" and got a snide "I am sure you were". Needless to say I left and I would love to the the whole world to avoid this place like the plague. I am saying this is a fee attraction because you are asked to make a purchase before you can use the bathroom.

I expected to see Billy the Kid's grave and his old "pals" Charlie Bowdre. The museum next door offered some interesting side trips to what my wife and I though would be a quick stop. Still have pictures of us in those old iron jail cells. Glad we made the stop.

I knew it was not going to be fancy.I wanted to see were g e died. A lot of pics. I did like it and would recommend to anyone liking westerns

This museum sits in front of the small cemetery where Billy The Kid is buried. You can opt to visit the museum for a small fee or just visit the grave by walking to the back outside. I recommend both. The Maxwell house where the kid was killed is near there but is marked as it fell into the river long ago in a flood. There are maps to get you to that site.

The museum involves a lot of reading, so get ready. But they have a treasure trove of information on Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County war. A lot of it is first hand accounts (very interesting), and other is peripheral information that we didn't see anywhere else. It really rounded out out our historical view point. If you are not a reader the museum is probably not for you, but if you are and are interested in the Lincoln County war, it is a gem: like someone went to the historical society and pulled a lot of material for you. The cemetery contains the graves of Billy the Kid, Charlie Bowdre, Lucien & Peter Maxwell, and other persons of note.

I was traveling to Lubbock and drove thru Fort Sumner. To my surprise it said Billy the Kids grave was 3 miles off the main road. Now who could pass that by. Old Fort Sumner is gone now due to floods. But the grave yard and the building where the gift shop is are still there. I was surprised to see the grave completely in bars. I guess he won't get out this time. Lol

Came here hoping to see the museum and the grave. We walked in the door and said hi to the man behind the counter. He promptly picked up his cell phone and started making a personal call. My mom bought a shot glass and he stayed on the phone through the entire transaction. She said thank you and he said thank you back. I felt bad for inconveniencing him. We didn't go to the museum. The grave was interesting. There are a few other old graves in the area that were intriguing to look at.It's probably worth a look...just don't expect good customer service.

Drove here after visiting the Billy the Kid museum in town and watching the 30 minute show on his life. I was sad to see that the new owner has removed all the old crosses and headstones other than those of the main people such as the Maxwells, Billy and his friends. Met a paranormal researcher while we were there and she noted that she had experienced some weird activity in the museum itself. They have a small gift shop. Very nice man inside. Overall, cool to see Billy, but the overall cemetery could use some additions. No fee.